Category Archives: Payette River Vineyard

Doubt and Uncertainty When The King Is Gone…

the king is gonePassage: Luke 19:11-28

When a choice becomes a “Choice”

•    Decisions are a funny thing

o    We make them all the time; most of them we don’t even thing about
o    Yet, there comes a time when a decision becomes a “Choice”

•    A choice becomes a “Choice” when it is made in spite of the situation surrounding it

o    Take a dating couple, the choice to get married is really not that big of a decision as it is made in the heat of passion

*    The real Choice to be married comes when the cards are down; when the pressures of life is pushing and pulling the couple apart

o    This is true for most any thing

*    When something is simply the next logical step on a journey, then it really isn’t a choice
*    It is when a decision is made against all odds, when nothing is known for sure, that is when a Choice is made.

•    The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is a perfect example of this
•    Holy Saturday was a dark day during which the followers of Jesus knew nothing but despair, fear and pain.

o    Yes, they had the Prophets and Jesus’ own words predicting his resurrection…
o    But they weren’t sure if these words were just empty rhetoric thrown out to give false hope to their desires of a promised Messiah.

•    It was at this time – in the darkness of life – when the Disciples made their real Choice to follow Jesus…

King is Away

•    Luke 19:11-28 is a passage foreshadowing Holy Saturday.
•    In verse 11 we see that the people thought that Jesus was getting close to ushering in the Kingdom of God

o    After all He had just healed a blind man, converted a tax collector and was headed to Jerusalem…

While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. (Luke 19:11)

•     In response to this mindset, Jesus tells a story about a nobleman who goes on a journey to receive His royal authority

o    This is a story about both Holy Saturday when he was in the tomb and the time between his Ascension and Second Return
o    You see, we currently live during a paradoxical time – a time between the now and not yet, as it is commonly called
o    This is a time during which God’s reign and rule is here – but not in its fullness
o    Just like the during between the election of a president and their inauguration
o    This is a story about the time during which we live

Continue reading Doubt and Uncertainty When The King Is Gone…

Giving It All Up

covered-in-the-dust-of-the-rabbiPublic Reading: Luke 18:15-34

•    Pairs

o    Little children and rich grownups (verses 15-22)
o    Lose everything to get everything (verses 23-30)

Little Children

•    People where bring their little kids for Jesus to bless

o    Think about that…getting blessed by God Himself!! Wow
o    It should be noted that this was a common practice back then
o    Still is a practice today…to a certain extent…we bless babies in church

•    The 12 disciples tied to stop this from happening

o    They figured Jesus was too busy and important to worry about children
o    Children, after all, are messy, noisy, get in the way a lot, ask too many questions…etc.
o    Like the old comment about kids been seen and not heard and rarely seen at that

•    Jesus saw things differently

o    He wanted the kids to come up to Him
o    In fact, Mark 10:14 says that Jesus was “indignant” that the kids were being kept from Him

*    Indignant means “feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthy”
*    That is pretty powerful!!!

o    Jesus was angry at his followers – the guys he handed picked – because they tried to keep a bunch of little kids away….
o    Think about that for a bit…

*    If Jesus is that passionate for children, should we be too?
*    Shouldn’t we be doing everything in our power to make sure the folks that Jesus wants to hold and bless get to the chance to meet His?
*    Yet, How often do we, in our own way, try to keep the church clean by not invite those people?

•    Receiving the Kingdom of God

o    Jesus told his followers that the Kingdom of God belongs to the little children

*    That whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it…

o    That should get our attention!!!

•    What is Jesus talking about?

o    The phrase “Kingdom of God” is an odd one that basically means “the dynamic rule and reign of God”
o    It is a term that the Jewish people started using between the Old and New Testament to refer to the time when God would fulfill His promises to rule over the land and destroy evil
o    There are verses that talk about enter into the kingdom; other which say that the kingdom is coming; still others that it is in our midst; and is still a long ways off

•    Receiving and entering into…

o    In a nutshell, Jesus is saying that if we want to see the rule and reign of God, we are too humble ourselves and become like a small child…. Like the ones who crawled up into Jesus lap and was blessed by him
o    This doesn’t mean that we can’t ask questions – kids ask ALL kinds of questions!

*    It just means that we trust Jesus even when we don’t like His answers
*    We just grab his hand and follow him…

Continue reading Giving It All Up

Cassie Wallace, Sign Language Consultant-in-Training with Wycliffe Bible Translators

cassie wallace 2 We are pleased to announce that Cassie Wallace will be speaking at the Payette River Vineyard this coming Sunday, April 21st, at 10:30 AM. Cassie is a young lady from Boise, Idaho, who is getting ready to go to Manila, Philippines, as a Sign Language Consultant-in-Training with Wycliffe Bible Translators. She will be joined by special guest worship leader Pat Dansereau.

The Deaf

The Deaf are the least-reached people group in the world. Globally, less than 2% know Christ. The Gospel that we have has been primarily kept in the hearing world, a world the Deaf cannot access through the spoken word or through print. Why? Among the Deaf, 85% cannot read…At all. The 15% who can read normally only attain a 3rd or 4th-grade reading level. Further, the sign languages they use are not just signed versions of the local spoken languages. These are independent languages with different grammars, vocabularies, and idioms, which means the Deaf who can read are reading in a second language. Those that are deaf may be able to access hearing aid services to help them with their auditory issues, using websites like https://www.earpros.com/hearing-aid-brands/starkey-hearing-aids/livio to help find the right ones for what they require.

Bible Translation

The Good News of Christ in the heart languages of individuals has the greatest ability to be understood and to touch hearts. However, about 200 million people representing nearly 2000 languages do not have access to any scripture in their heart language (translation statistics). Over 260 of those languages are sign languages, which are the heart languages of the Deaf. Not a single sign language has a complete Bible translation. Only one, American Sign Language, even has a New Testament. Wycliffe Bible Translators’ mission is to see the scriptures accessible to all people in the language of their heart. Their vision for seeing this accomplished is called Vision 2025: to see a Bible translation in progress in every language still needing one by 2025 – including sign languages.

Villagers use sign language to communicate with each other at Dadhkai Village
Why Asia

At a conservative estimate, 20 million people in Asia are Deaf. However, based on birthrates, the deaf population is likely 40 million or higher.

When

Cassie Wallace will be leaving for the Philippines on May 5th, 2013 where she will be interning with four other Wycliffe members. After completing some training, Cassie will be reassigned to another location to be a living, breathing, signing resource for Deaf mother tongue translators.

Prior to this, her initial assignment with Wycliffe Bible Translators is called partnership development – putting together a team of prayer and financial partners. She currently has $430 remaining in monthly partnership before Wycliffe releases her to the field. If you would like to join her team, please visit Cassie’s partnership page or contact Pastor Josh for more information.

 

why sign languages b

Faith and Risk

faithPublic Reading: Luke 17:11-19

Sermon

•    Jesus was headed to Jerusalem when ten men with leprosy stopped him

o    Jesus told them to go shows themselves to the priest
o    In accordance to Lev 13:2-14:32

•    The men left

o    They could have went home and continue along as normal
o    They could have walked away laughing at Jesus
o    But they didn’t – instead they started toward the priests just as Jesus said
o    As the went they were healed

•    We know all of them were healed because one of them returned

o    A Samaritan, who took a huge risk going towards the priests
o    He thanked Jesus and let him know what had happened

•    Jesus replied,

o    “Rise and go; your faith has made you well” – Luke 17:19

•    Faith

o    We use this word a lot but do we really understand what it means?

o    Dictionary (Merriam-Webster)

1 a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty, b (1) : fidelity to one’s promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2 a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion, b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs <the Protestant faith>

o    Bible

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1, KJV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1, ESV

•    I would defined it like this

o    Faith = Risk and Action
o    Faith – (Risk and Action) = Unbelief

Continue reading Faith and Risk

Passover

passover lambWhile I know that I’m a week late, I figure I would go ahead and post these notes about the Passover. They were originally written for a sermon on Palm Sunday, before the Passover festival. However, Jesus changed the church’s plan that day and we simply worship Him all morning, skipping the sermon in lue of enjoying His presence.

I did, however, use the notes this past Sunday on Easter – granted I shifted things a bit to focus on the high cost of sin. Namely, that sin leads to death and should not be taken lightly. Sadly we don’t have a sound recording of this sermon as the computer decided to reboot during the sermon stopping the recording… =(

Passover

•    So what is Passover?

o    It is a festival held each year to remember how the Lord God delivered His people out of slavery
o    The term can also refer to the Seder dinner held during the festival

*    This dinner is full of symbolism reminding people of God’s deliverance while also pointing toward Jesus

•    Background (Exodus 12:1-30)

o    The people of Israel had been living in Egypt for 400 years
o    At first they were free citizens, but somewhere along the line their entire people were enslaved
o    80-years prior to the Passover, the Pharaoh or ruler of Egypt got scared and set about killing all male toddlers and babies.

*    Very few boys survived this time
*    Moses was one of them

•    Moses

o    Moses grow in Pharaoh’s house due to an act of God
o    At 40-years old he goes into exile, becoming a shepherd on the edge of the Egyptian empire
o    Another 40 years pass until Moses, now 80 years old, finds himself standing before a burning bush
o    God tells him to go back to Egypt as He was going to bring freedom to His people

•    Ten Plagues

o    When Moses first returned to Egypt, the people of Israel were happy to hear about God’s plan
o    However they soon got tired of Moses and God’s plan for freedom

*    It was tough
*    Yes, they say some amazing miracles – plagues of frogs, flies, hail and the like
*    Some of these plagues only touched the Egyptians!!!

o     Yet in the middle of everything, Pharaoh had them working harder and harder

*    The plagues happened over a period of time – a year or so

Continue reading Passover

How is your calling?

PAChurch•    Three weeks ago we started off a period of self-examination

o    A time were we could ask questions about different parts of our life
o    A time to stop and see what Jesus was doing around us

•    The first week was focused on our soul

o    How are we personally?
o    Are we actively pursuing an intimate relationship with Jesus?
o    Are there things slowing us down or stopping our relationship with God?

•    From there we asked how was our family?

o    Are we actively pursuing Jesus as a family unit?
o    Are we helping each family member to grow closer to Jesus?
o    Are we hindering this process in any way?

•    The third question was how is our work?

o    Are we doing everything for Jesus?
o    Have we separated our walk with Jesus from our daily work?
o    What is Jesus doing at our works? Around and through us?

•    All simple questions with powerful answers

o    They all lead from one to another
o    You cannot see God in our family if your soul is not right with God
o    You cannot see Jesus move in our work if your family and soul are in chaos

•    Today we are building upon all of the questions

o    We are asking, “how is our calling?”

(audio file of sermon can be found on the PRV website)

“Calling” Defined

•    A lot of times in our Christian circles we use the term “calling” to refer to folks who have joined the ranks of full time ministry

o    Missionaries and pastors receive a “calling
o    Most other folks do not

•    Other times we use the term when trying to figure out what unique thing we are to do in our lives

o    What is my calling?
o    How am I different than everyone else?

•    I’m not convinced that either one of these usages are correct….

Continue reading How is your calling?

How Is Your Work?

josh preachingThe Beginning of Work

•    Right after God creates man and women, He blesses them and gives them two commandments (Genesis 1:28)

o    “Be fruitful and increase in number”
o    “fill the earth and subdue it”
o    Family and work

•    Contrary to the thoughts of some, work is good
•    Humanity was created to be active – doing something

(audio file of sermon can be found here)

Influence Through One’s Work Life

•    It doesn’t matter what type of work you do

o    Housewife
o    Salesperson
o    Restaurant employee
o    Student
o    Farmer
o    Construction
o    Desk-jockey
o    Volunteer (food pantry, clothing closet)

•    Each one of use is doing something – some kind of work
•    And each one of use has an opportunity through our work life to bless people and share the message of the Kingdom to them

Don’t like work

•    I know that there are some people who hate their jobs

o    It drains them and is a pain
o    They do it because they need to eat

•    The truth is that each of us much work to live

Working for God

•    No matter if we like or hate our jobs, we are to work as unto Jesus

o    Colossians 3:15-17

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Continue reading How Is Your Work?

How Is Your Family?

Worship in the park emaily jadon joshIntroduction

•    How are you all doing?

o    How is your soul?

•    Did you all find value in this week’s study?
•    I pray that you all took the time to sit and be still before the Lord this week as it is incredibly  important for us to seek out Jesus with everything we are

(Audio file of sermon can be found here)

How is our family?

•    This week we are talking about our family
•    Family is extremely important

o    Every culture and people group on the planet, throughout time has valued their family relationship
o    Genesis 2:18,20b-22 – the first family was Adam and Eve

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”… But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took part of the man’s side and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the part he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

*    God told them to multiple and increase in number – let the earth be full of humans (Genesis 1:28)

•    Sadly the family structure and relationship are under attack in our culture

o    It is the “norm” for both parents to work, leaving the day-care workers to raise their child
o    It is the “norm” for the parents to be divorced, split or simply not married
o    It is the “norm” for parents emotionally and spiritual absent from the family – even if they are physical present.
o    It is the “norm” for the children to grow up and move away from their hometown – creating distances between them, their children and grandparents

•    In the midst of all this, Jesus is calling His followers to be different

o    To have strong family relationships
o    To have lasting relationships that are built upon Him, not force, fear or control
o    To have a family in which the priority is not how much money one has or what stuff one has or what events one does…

*    But one in which the priority is focused around Jesus
*    Focused around being around each other and helping each other follow Jesus

Continue reading How Is Your Family?

How Is Your Soul?

how-is-your-soulExamining our lives

*    Socrates famously said, “The unexamining life is not worth living”
*    Before that, King Solomon wrote an entire book about examining one’s life – Ecclesiastes
*    Years later St. Paul encouraged believers to examine themselves: Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” – 2 Corinthians 13:5a
*    Sadly, we rarely do this

o    Instead we tend to think that our lives will take care of themselves
o    We just live – going from one day to the next

Introduction to the series

•    We are going to take a break from our study of the life of Jesus
•    Last month I had asked you all to read through 1 Peter
•    Not long after I did that, Vineyard USA released a small booklet about spiritual renewal

o    As I looked at both of these items, something begin to come together
o    At first I was going to wait until Lent as I think there is something powerful about corporate fasting and preparation for Easter

•    Yet the Lord said to do this now, so here we are
•    This is how this series is going to work

o    We are going to be looking at four questions

1.    How Is Your Soul? Examine your life; ask the questions of the heart.
2.   How Is Your Family? Your first church; how can you tend carefully to their needs?
3.    How Is Your Work? We work to give; how do we carry Christ into our work?
4.    How Is Your Calling? Join God’s future; what is your part in God’s mission?

o    Corporately, we will be looking at these four questions through the words of 1 Peter
o    Individually there will be four-weeks of daily devotions focused on these questions to help give our attention to our intimacy with Jesus through the wear and tear of life.

Working at our relationship with Jesus

*    Relationship take work; good ones take even more
*    Think about it

o    Best Friends – a lot of us have acquaintances or nominal friends – folks we know but really don’t hang out with

*    BEST friends, however, are ones that we hang out with – talk too and live life with
*    It takes work to keep a best friendship up as it means spending time with them

o    Marriage – the same thing is true between spouses

*    While some folks may think that you only have to say “I love you” once every 20 years, research around the world proves that you need to say it once or more a day
*    It takes time and energy to keep a marriage strong

o    Family – the same is true with family in general

*    If we don’t talk too or think about our family – brothers, sisters, parents, etc
*    We lose touch with them and our relationship suffers

Continue reading How Is Your Soul?

Upside-Down Kingdom

i-get-it_2Public Reading: Luke 16:1-17:10

Sermon

•    Last week we talked about God’s unconditional love

o    Parable of the lost son
o    Both sons failed to realize that the Father’s love was not based upon what they did or did not do
o    The father loved them because they were his sons, nothing more and nothing less

•    This week we are continuing Jesus teaching

o    Chapter 15 through 17:10 is all one deal

•    After telling the Pharisees three stories – the lost sheep, coin and son
•    Jesus turns to his disciples and tells them a story of a shrewd manager (vs 16:1)

Shrewd Manger

•    A land owner fires his manager after learning that this manager was dishonest
•    The manager, instead of giving up the books and leaving at once, calls his master’s debtors and gives them a huge discounts
•    When the master finds out about this, he is shocked – and while not agreeing with the way in which things happened, he does praise the shrewdness of the manager

o    As he, the manager had figured out an ingenious plan to make friends and hopefully keep his job
o    Why? Well, the entire community in which the master lived was rejoicing over the generosity of the master – to fire the manger now would be a dishonor to the town

•    Verse 9 highlights this

“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”

•    This is totally upside down!!!

o    Most folks in this world are concerned about money for money’s sake
o    For what they can buy or do or the honor they can get in this live
o    This is why the religious leaders made fun at Jesus when they heard these things!! (verse 14)

Continue reading Upside-Down Kingdom